With a 500,000 Viral Load and a 20 T Cell Count, including wasting from 170 to 125 lbs. Just diagnosed and starting meds, is it too late for the meds to work? How long to live? This is for a friend, so I'd love the facts.

Response from Dr. Holodniy

That is pretty advanced HIV and AIDS. However, it is never too late for HIV meds to start working. Once the viral load becomes undetectable, the CD4 count will begin to rise, they will no longer be at risk for serious opportunistic infections, and they will start putting on weight.

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